Work swiftly and add a little bit of water to the mix if it starts to dry out. This will help you get a consistent finish. Build up the mix to about 3/8" thick. Down the center of the leaf, build up a spine to help strengthen the piece.

Take some time to finish the edges of the piece. It is a lot easier to shape the mix before it has cured.

When you're finished, cover the piece with another sheet of plastic and let it cure for 24+ hours.

STEP 3: Remove Leaf

Removing the leaf should be relatively easy. Just peel it away in sections. Use a tool to remove the deeper bits like the veins and stem. A nylon brush will help get the rest of the leaf out without scratching the piece.

The Finished Piece:

For another project that uses a similar technique, check out the 3-Up Tray: